Jets designate rookie VJ Payne to return from injured reserve

The ailing New York Jets special teams unit will get an injection of new blood.

Head coach Aaron Glenn announced on Wednesday that seventh-round rookie VJ Payne has been designated to return from injured reserve:

S VJ Payne has been designated to return to practice

We’ve signed WR Joseph Manjack IV to the practice squad

— New York Jets (@nyjets) November 4, 2026

Payne started his first pro season on the team’s injured reserve list after sustaining a bone bruise early on in training camp. He’s likely to get an opportunity on special teams to start when he is fully activated and added to the 53-man roster.

Designating a player to return from injury means the Jets have 21 days to add him to the roster or else Payne will return to injured reserve for the remainder of the 2026 season. He can be activated at any time, even ahead of facing the Kansas City Chiefs (5-2) on Sunday in Week 9, but the Jets (2-6) have 21 days to do so.

Jets Wire will continue to provide updates throughout the 2026 NFL season. 

This article originally appeared on Jets Wire: Jets designate rookie VJ Payne to return from injured reserve